Worcester police add patrols in response to series of trash bin fires

Police have added patrols into the Brooks Street area and nearby streets after a rash of trash bin fires have been set at several locations over the past two weeks.

Since Dec. 5 there have been eight fires in trash bins that fire and police investigators have deemed intentionally set. On Friday, a business that had a fire on Wednesday was hit again, according to police.

Police and fire responded to International Ceramic Engineering at 235 Brooks St. for a trash bin fire in the rear of building about 11:30 p.m. Friday. Fire officials responded to a fire at the same location at 11:07 p.m. Wednesday. Wooden pallets outside the building were set on fire.

Flames ended up getting inside the building Wednesday. Machinery was damaged. Fire officials estimated the damage was $50,000.

The fires on Dec. 5 occurred on Brooks Street, in two different locations, and on Burncoat Street. Wednesday's fires occurred on Malden Street, where an outdoor trash bin at a school was set on fire. There were also fires Wednesday in a trash bin at the Burncoat Baptist Church, 475 Burncoat St., and a company at 27 Pullman St., where a trash bin and wooden pallets were on fire.

Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said this is the same area in which police saw an increase in break-ins. Although the break-ins have ebbed, the rash of fires prompted police to place additional patrols in the area as well as have Community Impact Division officers on alert.

Fire and police officials have noticed that all of the fires have occurred between 8 and 11 p.m. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is involved in the investigation.

“From our perspective the public needs to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity around trash bins,” Chief Gemme said. “On the surface it looks like vandalism, but the problem is the volume of fires and some of these have been in close proximity to buildings.”

Businesses should consider putting trash bins or other outside items in well-lighted areas and securing bins, the chief said. Investigators are checking surveillance footage to see if a suspect or suspects can be identified.

The area could be designated as a tactical response area. Police officials will review the situation early this week.

Deputy Fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell said there is a concern that the people setting these fires might turn to setting other types of fires. He said it is well-documented that these types of thrill fires can escalate to include vacant buildings.